Visa applications being returned because of the photo isn't unusual. It's rarely because the photo is unattractive, but because it's off by a few millimetres: the wrong size, the head too large or too small, the wrong background colour.
This article compiles visa photo sizes by country most common for Vietnamese applicants – the US, Schengen, the UK, South Korea, China, Japan, Canada, Australia – along with head height and background colour. Read it once, shoot it right once.
Why do visa photo sizes differ between countries?
Each country has its own review system and biometric standards. Photo size is just the visible part. The more important part is head height – that is, how much of the frame the face occupies.
Head height is usually measured from the chin to the top of the head (including hair), but the exact method can vary by country. That's why two photos of the same 35x45mm size can see one accepted and the other returned.
If you need photos urgently for your application, see the instant-print visa and passport photo service at K-BLACK Studio Thu Duc.
Quick comparison of visa photo sizes by country
The “head ratio” column is head height divided by photo height, helping you picture how much of the frame the face occupies. Regulations may change – always check against the official guidelines before submitting.
| Country / document | Photo size | Head height | Head ratio (estimated) | Background color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US visa | 2×2 inch (51x51mm) | 25–35mm | approx. 49–69% | White |
| Visa Schengen | 35x45mm | 32–36mm | approx. 71–80% | White or light grey |
| Visa Anh | 35x45mm | 29–34mm | approx. 64–76% | Plain light grey or light cream* |
| South Korea visa | 3,5×4,5cm | typically 3.2–3.6cm* | approx. 71–80% | White |
| China visa | 33x48mm | 28–33mm | approx. 58–69% | White |
| Japan visa | 3,5×4,5cm | Per Japanese Embassy guidelines | – | Plain light background, usually white* |
| Visa Canada | 50x70mm | 31–36mm | approx. 44–51% | White or plain light colour* |
| Australia visa | 35x45mm | 32–36mm | approx. 71–80% | Plain white or light grey* |
| Vietnamese passport | 4x6cm | – | – | White |
(*) Typical specifications – check against the official source of the country you're applying to before your shoot.
The table makes it clear at a glance: Schengen, Australia and South Korea need a large face that nearly fills the frame. The US and Canada are the opposite, leaving more space around the head.
The 35x45mm group: Schengen, UK, Australia, South Korea
This is the group most easily confused. The same paper size, but head heights differ by a few millimetres – enough to get a “shared” photo rejected.
Schengen visa photo 35x45mm – head 32–36mm
A 35x45mm Schengen visa photo requires the face to fill most of the frame, on a white or light grey background. Each Schengen country may have its own additional guidelines. Double-check with the embassy/consulate or the application centre (such as VFS) of the country you're applying to.
UK visa photo 35x45mm – head 29–34mm
Same size as Schengen, but the head is slightly smaller. This is the clearest example of why you shouldn't submit a Schengen photo for a UK visa. Background colour and other requirements should be checked on the official UK Government website (GOV.UK).
Australia visa photo 35x45mm – head 32–36mm
Head specifications are equivalent to Schengen. Background colour and other requirements should be checked on the Australian Department of Home Affairs portal before your shoot.
South Korea visa photo size 3.5×4.5cm – white background
The South Korea visa photo size is 3.5×4.5cm, on a white background. Head height is typically around 3.2–3.6cm, but some sources list a different range. So check with the Korean embassy/consulate or the KVAC centre before submitting.
The distinct-size group: US, China, Canada, Vietnamese passport (plus a note on Japanese visas)
US visa photo size 2×2 inches (51x51mm)
Square photo, head 25–35mm, white background, no glasses. US photos leave quite a lot of space around the head, so don't crop from a 35x45mm photo. Check against the guidelines of the US Department of State and the US embassy/consulate in Vietnam.
China visa photo size 33x48mm
Narrower and longer than the European standard, head 28–33mm, white background. It's an uncommon size, so it's easy to print incorrectly. Double-check with the Chinese embassy/consulate or the Chinese visa application centre.
Japan visa photo 3.5×4.5cm
Size 3.5×4.5cm (3.5 wide – 4.5 tall), plain white background, taken within 6 months; other requirements follow the Japanese embassy/consulate guidelines. Check the mission's website before your shoot, as Japan often has specific guidelines for each application type.
Canada visa photo 50x70mm – head 31–36mm
The largest size in the table, with the lowest head ratio. Also check the guidelines from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), especially for paper applications.
Vietnamese passport photo 4x6cm
Under Circular 73/2021/TT-BCA: size 4x6cm, white background, no glasses, both ears clearly visible. Check the latest information on the Ministry of Public Security's Public Service Portal. See more about passport and visa photos in Thu Duc City.
Mistakes that get visa photos returned – and how to avoid them
The right size isn't enough. Most photos are rejected because of small details during shooting and post-production.
- Using one photo for several countries: each country has its own head height, so crop and print separately for each size.
- Hair covering the forehead or ears: tie it back and tuck it away to reveal the outline of your face.
- Wearing glasses: the US and Vietnamese passports require no glasses; for other countries, removing them also avoids glare and shadows.
- Clothing the same colour as the background: a white top on a white background can lose the shoulder line, so choose a top that contrasts with the background.
- Shadows on the background or face: lighting needs to be even and soft, with no dark patches behind the head.
- Exaggerated expressions: mouth closed, looking straight ahead, a neutral expression is the safe choice.
- Over-editing: for visa photos, only balance exposure and clean up the background colour – no skin smoothing, no altering facial features.
To be even surer, you can also read how to take a great, document-compliant ID photo before coming to the studio.
For children, the standards are the same as for adults: looking straight ahead, mouth closed, hair neat. Shooting when the child is alert makes it much easier.
Instant visa photos at K-BLACK Studio Thu Duc
K-BLACK shoots tethered: photos appear instantly on a large screen, and you review and approve colour before payment. You only take what you love. Once you know the exact photo size and head height you need, you can check directly on screen instead of guessing.
The studio is at M3-06 Manhattan Glory, Vinhomes Grand Park, Thu Duc City, open 8:30–17:30 daily. Full details on the ID, passport and visa photo.
Reference prices
| Package | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Package K1 | 150,000 VND | Plain-background shoot, photo retouching, background colour change, digital file included |
| Package K2 | 200,000 VND | As K1 + 1 outfit provided, printed photos: 2 × 4×6, 2 × 3×4, 4 × 2×3 |
| Package K3 | 500,000 VND | Same as K2 + basic makeup and hair styling |
| A6 ID photo printing | 50,000 VND | 1 A6 sheet (10.5×14.8cm) |
Applying to several countries? One shoot is enough. The K1 package gives you the digital file and background colour changes – white for the US, light grey for the UK if needed. Then print the right size for each country on an A6 sheet at 50,000 VND/sheet.
FAQ
Can a 4×6 photo be used for a visa?
It's best not to. 4x6cm is the Vietnamese passport size; most visas in the table use other sizes. Shoot or print the exact size for the country you're applying to.
Can a Schengen photo be used for a UK visa?
Same 35x45mm size, but different head heights (32–36mm vs 29–34mm). Better to have separate photos to avoid risk.
Can one shoot produce photos for several countries?
Yes, if you have the original digital file. From one correctly shot photo, it can be cropped to each country's size and head height, with the background colour changed as needed, then printed separately.
Do visa photo regulations change?
They can change at any time. Always check the official portals: embassies/consulates, application centres (VFS, KVAC…) or the Ministry of Public Security's Public Service Portal for Vietnamese passports.
A photo accurate to the millimetre is the smallest step in your application, but also the easiest to get wrong. If we do something at all, we go beyond expectations.
Book an ID or visa photo shoot at K-BLACK – or message on Zalo/call 0367 277 935 for advice on photo sizes before you come. Outside 8:30–17:30, please book an appointment in advance.
